What is this?

From the outside HMCS Winnipeg may look like the same Halifax-class frigate, but as the saying goes, looks can be deceiving. Following a mid-life upgrade, HMCS Winnipeg is now sporting a host of new systems making the multi-purpose frigate flagship ready.

To show off the ship’s refit, HMCS Winnipeg’s crew hosted a day sail yesterday which showed the frigate’s maneuvering capabilities, as well as its new command and harpoon missile systems, radar suite, tactical data links and countermeasures suites.

The multi-purpose frigates were commissioned between 1992 and 1997 and are touted as the Ferraris of the sea. It was in June 2007 that the Canadian government launched a project to upgrade or refit the 12 Halifax Class frigates.

But the day sail wasn’t reserved just to highlight the ship’s new technology, it was also an opportunity to get a very thin slice of the life of a Royal Canadian Navy sailor.

Heading into the bowels of the 150 metre-long ship that holds 235 sailors, it’s hard not to notice their efficient use of space, their small sleeping quarters, the lack of natural light, and the exercise equipment like stationary bikes and treadmills scattered anywhere they will fit.

Speaking to a handful of sailors, Lt. (Navy) Thomson, petty officer second class Good, and master seaman Beck, their ages and the reasons why they chose the navy are as varied as the time they’ve spent in the military. Whether it’s been 11 years or more than 20, they all say they’ve had an opportunity to see the world.

But along with seeing different regions of the globe, some sailors who have been part of the military for more than two decades have noticed some overarching changes in themselves, the navy and, in some cases politically, since they began their careers.

One sailor mentioned the huge paradigm shift that happened in the navy when they began integrating women onto ships in the mid-1990s. It was also noted that the RCN has been making more trips to the Middle East over the years compared to a decade ago.

And then there’s the technology. HMCS Winnipeg houses the most up to date software systems on a Canadian ship, which came with a learning curve. But the sailors also say the advances made in technology around their ability to communicate with people back home while on deployment has improved significantly over the past decade.

For younger sailors away on a mission, it’s more the norm to be able to purchase a Skype account and talk with loved ones regularly. For the more seasoned sailors, it’s been a noticeable change to have access to people back home and keep connected, which can often make all the difference when you’re away at sea for months at a time.

And the HMCS has seen its fair share of deployments. Along with protecting Canada and enforcing laws on our territorial oceans prior to the refit, HMCS Winnipeg was deployed on missions throughout the Pacific, Indian Ocean and on anti-terrorism operations in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea. The frigate was also involved in counter-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia and escorted UN ships carrying relief supplies to East Africa.

Below is a photo compilation on board HMCS Winnipeg:

Looking out the stern of HMCS Winnipeg.

In the hanger of the HMCS Winnipeg

Master seaman Beck showing the damage control system in the hanger of HMCS Winnipeg.

Mascot on-board HMCS Winnipeg.

On the stern of HMCS Winnipeg.

Petty officer second class Good on HMCS Winnipeg.

One of the many hatches on HMCS Winnipeg.

A treadmill at the bottom of a ladder and the sailor’s canteen in the background.

One of many long halls on HMCS Winnipeg.

Humour is ever-present on HMCS Winnipeg.

One of the sleeping quarters on-board HMCS Winnipeg.

Each sailor gets a bunk and a locker for their personal items.

In the damage control centre of HMCS Winnipeg.

In the damage control centre of HMCS Winnipeg.

In the damage control centre of HMCS Winnipeg.

The operating room on-board.

Another piece of exercise equipment placed in a hallway space.

The bridge of HMCS Winnipeg.

The bridge of HMCS Winnipeg.

A Sea King helicopter does a demo alongside HMCS Winnipeg.

Diver demo

Hull damage control. A demo of the various shoring used if the ship is damaged.